Big Trouble in a Tiny Package
#11 of Tales from The Hub
I haven't written any for this series in a while I know. Trying to catch up on a few story lines at the moment.
I was contemplating things again. I
hated it when I did that. Normally, it was a matter of making a decision and
going with it. But now I was superseded by this resurrected creator and I
wasn't sure how to take this guy. He seemed to both care and to not care. I get
having your own agenda, and I could get behind him if he was really going to
improve things here, but I was yet tome impressed.The creature cared enough to be hanging
with my partner and her old boyfriend, doing who knows what. OK, I knew damn
well what they were doing. This creator seemed to have more mortal qualities
than I would have expected. For some reason I actually found that rather
comforting.As much as I wanted the help of this
being in defeating the Brotherhood, I would have preferred going into this
battle alone. I had no desire to drag anyone else down, not even my newly
converted sex slave. I preferred to endanger only myself. If someone was to die
by my hand, I wanted it to be because of something I did to cause it, not some
inadvertent side effect of a battle or skirmish. I could take care of myself,
but my coverage only went just that far.I had been risking my neck for this
city for years. My name had become sort
of legend, and a lot of folks didn't even think I was real. I made no attempt
to disabuse them, though I also didn't really hide my existence. I was just me.
I followed my own rules right up until now, when I had this small furless thing
running amuck in my warehouse.I was just working out what I could
do without his help when the three of them appeared. My nose flared at the
smell, and my cock jerked awake. I mentally told it to go back to sleep. This
wasn't going to be the time for fun, even if they had been pattering about
doing who knows what.."I see you finally found your way
out of the warehouse. Nice."Jenar looked a little pale. "Yes we
did. We took time out of our busy schedule to get to know one another.""Good for you. Now how about we get
down to work? If you have some special information on how to get at the
Brotherhood, I'm all ears."The creator sat down. "I have set
things in motion already. There are a few things that I wish I had available to
me, but I don't have time to search the warehouse. It could end up as a waste
of time.""What are you looking for?""Nanites. ""Oh sure, I think we have several,"
I said sarcastically. "What the hell are they?" "If you
have one you'll have several billion of them. They're microscopic machines." Veronica
coughed to get his attention. "Really? How is that possible? And how would you ever
work on them?" "There's
no time for explaining how they function. But if you had any, they would look a
giant crate of black sand." I
jerked alert. "Sand?" "Yes,
sand. They are so small that they look like fine sand." "Well
shit. I wondered why there was a box of something so stupid as sand in the
warehouse. I would have dumped it but I had never seen the likes of it before.
I've been to the Outlands and there ain't no sand that looks like that anywhere
out there." "Consider
yourself lucky you didn't. Was there an activator with it?" I
sighed. "A what?" "An
activator. The nanites are dormant until activated. It doesn't do well to have
them pulling power from the grid for no good reason. That, and without
programming, they tend to wander." "So
you're telling me that box of sand will come alive?" "Yes,
in a manner of speaking. Can you show me where it is? If I can find the
activator, I can set them loose ahead of time. They can repair old damage and
get some of the operational systems restored." "Whatever
you say master. Come on." "You know
I don't think I deserve that insult. I didn't come back here to interfere. You
wanted help. I'm trying to give it." I
suppose I did owe him an apology, but I was still feeling testy. When I didn't reply,
he slipped off of his chair and fell into step behind me. The others went to
follow, but he held up a hand. "No, you guys eat. I'll be back up in a little
bit, assuming I can find what I want." I
didn't give a damn who did what at that moment, but I have to admit that I was
curious about this sand. If it was really some sort of artificial life form, I
wanted to see it in action. I stomped down the stairs until we got to one of
the side rooms. The crate had a hole gnawed into it by one of the little vermin
that tended to seasonally infest the place. The creator scooped some into his
palm and ran a finger through it. "This
is it! Now to find the activator. I would think whoever had the sense to hide
this stuff away would know enough to keep the parts together." "What
is this pile of shit - I mean sand used
for again?" "They
are integrated bots, designed for undertaking repairs on electrical systems.
Once activated, programmed and released, they handle maintenance of things like
computer systems, video screens, audio systems and more. They can even be
programmed to coalesce into basic forms." "What?" "They
can combine to look like a rock, or a something even more angular, like a tool
chest or chair." "This
stuff could become a chair, one that would support my weight?" "Even
your massive frame, yes. And then, with a little programming, it could be made
to fall apart underneath you." "You're
lying." "I'm
not, but unless I find the activator I might as well be. They have to be active
to work." "Fine
little creature, so what does this activator look like?" The
creator stopped, looking around the room. "It's a panel about this long, and
about this wide," he said, using his arms and hands to demonstrate. "That
didn't help me much. "Any other details oh wise one? That sounds like a lot of
the shit down here." "Sorry.
It'll be marked with the number/letter combination of SQT-885, and it has a
display panel that shows the frequency of the transmitter." "Oh
that. I remember seeing something like that a long time ago." "And
where is it now?" "That's
a good question. But if I remember, it should be over here." I
rooted around under a pile of tarps until I pulled out the old dusty metal
contraption. I remember playing with it as a kid. "Is
this it?" "The
one and only. Now to see if it works." He pulled a retractable cable from the
back of the unit and plugged it into a wall outlet. Since there was power to
the whole system now, power rushed into the machine. He flicked a switch and
the unit sprung to life. I
watched with a morbid fascination, both at the little creature and at the way
he seemingly knew how everything worked. I smacked myself, for why wouldn't he?
He created it all. It hardly mattered how old it was, he had to know. But his
little brain couldn't possibly hold that much information, could it? I
nearly jumped when a section of the floor began to move. It was the sand.
Apparently he hadn't been lying about how the stuff worked. It swirled on the
floor as more of it poured out of the holes in the crate. In a few minutes it
looked like a whirlpool as the tiny particles did some sort of strange dance. "Well,
the systems are still working well enough. I guess I'll use the basic repair
protocols. I would direct them to specific tasks, but I have no idea how much
damage and destruction the systems have suffered over the centuries. I'll let
them figure it out on their own." "So
what now?" "Now
they will spread out and make repairs on the systems they encounter." "Where?" "Everywhere.
They will move out from here into every system they are familiar with and
restore it to its original functionality." Then he
did a really weird thing. He scooped up a mass of writhing sand and swallowed
it. "Why
the hell did you do that?" He
looked a little pained. "Some of the components in this body aren't organic. You
have to remember Veracity that this body is a construct. You were born; this
was created in a machine. I might be able to make another, better version if I
want to later, but I was in a hurry. The machine was old and in less than
perfect running order. I told you this body might not last very long." "I get
that, but what the hell does that animated sand have to do with anything?" "Don't
worry about it for now. Let's just say that it's going to keep me functioning
for a while longer." "Whatever
you say boss. What's next then?" "Next?
I'd say a tour of the city might be nice. It'll help to know what I'm dealing
with." "Looking
like that? You'll freak everyone out. You look like a hairless reject from the
Outlands!" "Are
you saying that this place has no idea what I even looked like?" "That
and then some. If you'll pardon my mouth, you look nothing like I ever imagined
you might. And hell, I still don't think you are what you claim you are." "What
do you need to be convinced? The earth shaking under your feet? My name being
heralded across the city? My voice sounding all at once from everywhere in the
city?" "It
might help. For now I just see you as a weak little mortal." "Your
assessment is correct for that is what I am right now. But you know, maybe
that's just what this place needs at the moment." "I'm not
following you." "No, I
suppose you're not. I was just thinking that maybe I needed to fight fire with
fire." "You're
going to burn down the city?" "No you
stupid idiot. Oh, never mind. I think I have a plan. Find me a cloak and a mask
of some sort and take me on a tour. Every minute right now is more and more
precious. Nanites or not, this organic flesh will not last forever." Veronica
allowed him the use of one of her robes, and a rebreather mask was dug out of a
box. It was a weird combination, but not so weird as that anyone would question
it. There was all sorts in the city, and with that all kinds of strange outfits. A cab
was called and when it arrived, all five of them squeezed into it. "Where ya'll goin?" asked the
driver. A small
voice came from the back. "The Brotherhood." "Ya
sure about that?" "I'm
sure." "I'll
drop you of a block over then. I have no desire to get them pissed at me. They
have a perimeter around that place and you had better be a member when you
cross it. I ain't no member and I ain't never goin to be. Any of you members?" Serrena
started to answer but Veracity shook his head. That little voice piped up. "No.
I'm just curious about the place is all." "What's
there to be curious about? Are you telling me that you've never seen it
before?" "It's
been a long while my friend. Just catching up on what's been happening since I
was gone." "Gone?
Where the hell ya been livin? The Outlands?" "A
little farther past that, you might say." "Then
you're crazy. No one lives past the Outlands and no one wants to go to the
Brotherhood. I'd suggest ya'll pay up front." Veracity
stuck a fist in front of the driver. "You'll get paid. Just drive." "Crazy
and big. My lucky day!" He stomped on the pedal and roared through the streets
until they reached their destination. As
he said, he dropped them off one block over. As everyone climbed out, the
driver figured he was going to get stiffed. The strange little thing in the robe
and respirator came around to his window. "Thanks
for the ride. Before you go, how would you like to be paid? I couldn't help but
notice that your vehicle is very old. It looks like it could use some repairs." "Yah,
she's old., but she's all I got. It's tough repairing the systems on a beast
like this. What are you, some sort of mechanic?" That's when he noticed a thin stream of black
crawling into the window. "What the hell?" "Relax.
Drive as you normally would, but you may have a few system glitches on and off
for a while. If you don't think it was worth the fare, come back to where you
picked us up." The flow
of black had already stopped. The tiny specks were infiltrating his cab and
were soon out of sight. The driver looked sharply at the robed figure. "You're
a freak, aren't you?" The
masked figure nodded. "Yes. But I am an honest one. Now go. Remember what I
said." The cab
drove off. Veronica had noticed the flow as it had left his fingertips. "What
did you do?" "Helped
someone, of course. And in turn he'll help me. When they're done repairing the
systems on his vehicle, they'll leave and find something else to repair. He's
helping to transport them a little faster than they would have on their own." "I
see." She didn't of course, but it hardly mattered. If he knew what he was
doing, she had little hope of understanding it. He
moved towards the next block. "Let's see this fortress." As they
came into the block that held the library, he was immediately dismayed. It
looked remarkably sinister. A facility for the gaining of knowledge was never
supposed to look like this. It reminded him of something from his memory banks.
It looked mildly church like, but there were overtones of Earth's 1930s and
1940s. From Germany. It was enough to cramp up his stomach, though that was
probably just his cells prematurely rupturing. Serrena
was also wearing a hood. Everyone else might be ignored, but a former member
suddenly making an appearance without her uniform might give their presence
away. I stood out like a whore in a church, for I never shunned showing my face
except when I was using my outlawed technology. No one messed with me, and I
knew that if they recognized me, they'd be curious and furious at the same
time. So it
was that I managed to accidently bump into a fellow that I recognized. He
recognized me as well and his eyes narrowed. "Veracity!" "Hello
Cornelius." "What
are you doing here? And have you put on some weight?" He was trying to piss me
off. "What
I'm doing here is my own business. As for my weight I can't help it." "I see.
Have you got a medical problem? I mean, you can't blame a person for hoping.." "Nah, ya see, very time I fuck your wife she
makes me a meal. What can I do?" I was upping the ante a little. After all, he
started it. "Feed a
man for free and he'll be back asking for more. Feed a man a bullet and you
won't hear from him again."Yeah? Well, if I want to listen to
an asshole I'll fart." A fight
broke out. Corny wasn't as big as I was, but he was a tough scrapper. In short
order we were rolling on the pavement, throwing punches. He was mad because I
had one upped his insult. He would have been furious to know I had been nailing
the bitch. What can I say? Some girls like something between their legs they
can feel for longer than the time it takes to get the action done. By the
time we were separated there was a crowd around us, including a number of
guards from the Brotherhood. Serrena had ducked out of sight, leaving just me
and my sidekick and her boy toy. We got maters settled, but not before the
guards recognized me for who I was. There was very nearly another altercation,
but a claxon went off inside the building and they spilt for the direction of
the doors. Veronica
came over. "Why did you start a fight? We didn't want to be noticed!" "Can't
help it. I like to stir up trouble. And who knew the old bastard was going to
show up here?" "Whatever.
Now our cover has been blown. We might as well leave." She looked around to
confirm her thought with the creator only to find him gone. "What's
happened to him?" I
shrugged. "Like I know? The silly sot has probably gone into the building
alone. You heard the alarm." "They'll
kill him!" "It'll
hardly mater. The poor little shit is already dying." "What?" "You
heard me. He has that sand stuff inside him to keep his body running for now,
but it's falling apart. You heard him before." "But it
was working just fine earlier!" "I'm
sure it was. But now it's not. So suck it up. I ain't about to go inside there
to retrieve him. I figure he knows what he's doing." "I
don't like it." "Your
choice. It doesn't make a difference to me. You want to try and save his scrawny
ass, you go right ahead. Me, I think he knows what he's doing. I don't personally
know what the hell he's planning, but I have an idea it'll rattle this
fucked-up city to its core." Since
they figured the moment was lost, the group headed away from the building and
moved over a few streets. There was a café that was mostly empty, so they went
inside. Veronica
looked perturbed. "I believe him when he says he's the creator you know." "I
didn't say any different you stupid Vulp. None of this much makes sense to me,
but I could see him having an avatar instead of his real self. I mean, I don't
know a damn thing about anything much outside of this stinking city, but there
has to be a lot of stuff beyond what we can see." "I
agree. So I think that we'll wait him out. If nothing happens, then life won't
be any worse than it was before we loosed his wonderful self." "Wonderful?
Just what were you guys doing down in the warehouse? Nope, forget I asked that.
I think I prefer to allow my imagination to roam rather than know the truth." "He's
talented in a lot of way Veracity. If he truly helped to build the foundations
of our civilization, then I trust him to have a greater knowledge of the layout
of the city than anyone living today." "Well,
he might end up in that non-lamentable group called the non-living if he's not
careful." We sat
there for a while, even ordering food to pass the time. For the moment they
didn't know if anywhere on the planet was safe and this place seemed as good as
any. Someone
came in, followed by a stiff breeze that blew in dirt and dust from the street.
All eyes were on the newcomer, but he merely sat down at a table and paid no
attention to them. HE was just another poor sap who was stuck living in this
dungheap. "You
know, I hate to admit it, but I'm feeling a bit on edge. And when I'm on edge,
I find that I either need to get violent or have sex." Serrena
punched me in the arm. "Like there's a difference with you?" I
grabbed her arm and squeezed. "There used to be. Now everything gets jumbled up
in my head. I can off in a lot a ways you know." I let go
when she began to struggle. I knew I had a tight grip and was only making a
statement. Could I help it I was angry and upset? I knew it wasn't their fault.
It was my own mistake for opening up that stupid room. I cast
my eyes to the floor, watching the dust swirl and shift on the tiling. This
city was dirty and stupid. I really should have left it a long time ago. At
least in the Outlands the dust and dirt were supposed to be there. Here in the
city things were supposed to be civilized. I don't think anyone had a concept
of what that word actually meant. As I
gazed angrily downward, I felt my eyes were playing tricks on me. The little
scattering of material on the floor seemed to flow into abstract patterns. I
blinked and looked again. And damn if it still wasn't doing it. I figured it had
to be eddying air currents until I remembered that the door was closed. There wasn't
a speck of air movement in the café. It
dawned on me that the dust was black. Well, not all black, but as it pulled
together the black seemed to separate itself from the common brown stuff. "Is
anyone else seeing this?" All
eyes went to where I was staring. "Yes, I think so. Is that the stuff that was
in the crate?" "What else
could it be? It sure travels fast." "If it
is the same stuff. What's it doing here?" As if
to answer, the formless mass swirled around and formed a smiling face. "Well I'll
be a knocked up mare. The son of a bitch has the stuff working!"